Exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device includes a seat plate, a foldable seat support attached to the seat plate and having a pair of legs and a pair of stays pivotally coupled together, a shaft connects the stays together, a pair of spring biasing members attached to the shaft, and a pair of levers attached to the spring biasing members for allowing the levers to be pivoted and moved relative to the shaft and the stays with the spring biasing members, and the levers each include a foot stem for being stepped and actuated by a user. A housing is mounted to the shaft, and the housing includes three panels attached to the shaft and parallel to each other for forming two chambers between the panels and for slidably engaging with the levers and the spring biasing members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an exercise device, and more particularly to an exercise chair or equipment including an improved structure or configuration for conducting various exercising or rehabilitation operations.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Typical exercise devices, such as exercise chairs or equipment or facilities normally comprise a seat for supporting the user, and one or more movable pedals and resistance springs that may be used to perform exercises in a seated position.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,030 to Splane, U.S. Pat. No. 7,794,378 to Splane, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,998,045 to Splane, U.S. Pat. No. 8,007,423 to Solow et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 9,533,190 to Walkama disclose several of the typical exercise chairs or equipment or facilities each also comprising a stationary or pivotal seat for supporting the user, and one or more movable pedals and resistance springs to be stepped or actuated by the user to perform exercises in a seated position.

However, the foot pedals are solidly and stably and pivotally or rotatably connected or coupled to the chair for being stepped or actuated by the user to perform exercises in the seated position, but the foot pedals have not been taught and shown to be resiliently connected or coupled to the chair for providing different exercise operations.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional exercise devices or facilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an exercise device including an improved structure or configuration for conducting various exercising or rehabilitation operations.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an exercise device comprising a seat plate, a foldable seat support attached to the seat plate and foldable relative to the seat plate, the seat support including a pair of legs and a pair of stays pivotally coupled together, the stays each including a lower portion, a shaft connected to the lower portions of the stays for securing the lower portions of the stays together and for allowing the lower portions of the stays to be moved in concert with each other, a pair of spring biasing members attached to the shaft, and a pair of levers attached to the spring biasing members respectively for allowing the levers to be pivoted and moved relative to the shaft and the stays with the spring biasing members, and the levers each including a foot stem for being stepped and actuated by a user and for allowing the user to conduct or to perform various exercising or rehabilitation operations, such as stepping exercises in a seated position.

The foot stems are perpendicular to the levers respectively. The levers each include a foot pad engaged onto the foot stem respectively for being stepped by the user. The shaft includes a shank secured to the shaft, and the spring biasing members may be directly attached to the shank of the shaft, and indirectly attached to the shaft.

A housing may further be provided and mounted to the shaft, and the shank of the shaft is engaged in the housing. The shank includes an extension secured to the housing with a lock member for locking the shank to the housing and for solidly and stably securing and mounting the shank to the housing and for preventing the shank from being pivoted relative to the housing and the shaft.

The housing includes one or more, such as three panels attached to the shaft and parallel to each other for forming two chambers between the panels and for slidably receiving and engaging with the lower portions of the levers and the spring biasing members respectively and for guiding and limiting the levers to slide or move relative to the shaft and the stays and the housing.

The levers each include a follower provided on the lower portion of the respective lever and slidably and snugly engaged with the panels for guiding and limiting the levers to move relative to the shaft and the stays and the housing, and for preventing the levers from moving laterally or sidewise relative to the panels of the housing.

A latch device may further be provided for selectively latching the foot stems and the levers together and for allowing the foot stems and the levers to be moved in concert with each other. The foot stems each include an orifice formed in the respective foot stem for slidably receiving and engaging with the latch device.

A pair of spring biasing members may further be provided and coupled between the levers and the seat plate for applying a resistive force onto or against the levers and for resisting a movement of the levers relative to the shaft and the stays and the housing and the seat plate.

The legs each include an upper portion pivotally attached or mounted to the seat plate with a pivot axle and rotatable relative to the seat plate between an unfolding position and a folding and storing position, the stays each include a middle portion pivotally coupled to an intermediate portion of the legs with a pivot pin for allowing the stays to be rotated relative to the legs between a working and unfolding position and a folded storing position, and the stays each include an upper portion attached to the seat plate for allowing the stays to be pivoted relative to the seat plate. The seat plate includes two rails attached to a bottom portion of the seat plate, and the upper portions of the stays are slidably engaged with the rails of the seat plate.

A pair of resilient cables may further be provided and connected to the legs respectively. The cables each include a hand grip for being grasped or held by the user and for allowing the user to conduct various moving or pulling exercising or rehabilitation operations.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exercise device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another front perspective view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating the operation of the exercise device;

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view as seen from the upper and front portion of the exercise device;

FIG. 4 is another partial exploded view as seen from the front and bottom portion of the exercise device;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the exercise device, in which a portion of the exercise device has been cut off for showing the inner structure of the exercise device;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view as seen from the front portion of the exercise device;

FIG. 7 is another partial cross sectional view similar to FIG. 6, illustrating the operation of the exercise device;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged partial cross sectional views of the exercise device as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views illustrating the folding operation of the exercise device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-7, an exercise device in accordance with the present invention comprises a seat cushion or seat plate 10 for supporting a user thereon, a pair of legs 20, 21 each having an upper portion 22 pivotally or rotatably attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the rear portion 11 of the seat plate 10 with a pivot pin or axle 23 and pivotal or rotatable relative to the seat plate 10 between a working or unfolding position (FIGS. 1-2) and a folded or receiving or storing position (FIGS. 10, 11), and each having a middle or intermediate portion 24. The seat plate 10 includes one or more, such as two tracks or rails 14 formed or provided on the bottom portion 12 of the seat plate 10 and spaced or separated from each other, but parallel to each other.

A pair of poles or stays 30, 31 each include an intermediate or middle portion 32 pivotally or rotatably attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the intermediate portion 24 of the legs 20, 21 with a pivot axle or pin 25 for allowing the stays 30, 31 to be pivoted or rotated relative to the legs 20, 21 between a working or unfolding position (FIGS. 1-2) where the legs 20, 21 and the stays 30, 31 are cross to each other for forming a foldable and stable seat support 2, and a folded or receiving or storing position (FIGS. 10, 11) where the legs 20, 21 and the stays 30, 31 are substantially parallel to each other or in line with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 11, the stays 30, 31 each include an upper portion 33 slidably attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the bottom portion 12 of the seat plate 10 with a pivot link or sliding member 34 which is slidably engaged with the rail 14 of the seat plate 10, for allowing the stays 30, 31 to be pivotal or rotatable or slidable or foldable relative to the seat plate 10 when the seat plate 10 and the legs 20, 21 and the stays 30, 31 are folded to the receiving or storing position; or to be selectively contacted or engaged with the seat plate 10 (FIGS. 1-2) when the seat plate 10 and the legs 20, 21 and the stays 30, 31 are unfolded to the stable working or unfolding position.

The lower or bottom portions 35 of the stays 30, 31 are connected or coupled together with a pole or rod or shaft 36 for allowing the lower portions 35 of the stays 30, 31 to be solidly and stably secured or coupled together and to be moved in concert with each other. One or more (such as two) flexible or resilient wires or cables 40 may further be provided and attached or connected or coupled to the bottom or lower portion 26 of the legs 20, 21, and each include a handle or hand grip 41 formed or provided thereon for being gripped or grasped or held by the user and for allowing the user to conduct various pulling exercising or rehabilitation operations.

A support or guide device 5 is attached or mounted or secured to the shaft 36. For example, the guide device 5 includes a receptacle or housing 50 solidly and stably secured or mounted to the shaft 36. A pair of foot supports or levers 60, 61 each include a bottom or lower portion 62 attached or mounted or secured to the shaft 36 with a spring biasing member 63 for allowing the levers 60, 61 to be pivoted or rotated or moved relative to the shaft 36 and the stays 30, 31 with the spring biasing members 63. The spring biasing members 63 may be directly or indirectly attached or mounted or secured to the shaft 36.

For example, the guide device 5 may include a rod or shank 51 disposed or attached or mounted in the housing 50, it is preferable, but not necessary that the shank 51 is in line with or engaged in or parallel to and/or secured to the shaft 36. The provision of the shank 51 allows the spring biasing members 63 to be easily and quickly and readily attached or mounted or secured to the shank 51 which may then be easily and quickly and readily attached or mounted or secured to the housing 50 or the shaft 36. The shank 51 may further include an extension 52 extended therefrom (FIGS. 3-5) and secured or latched or locked to the shaft 36 or the housing 50 with a lock member 54 (FIG. 5) for latching or locking the shank 51 to the shaft 36 or the housing 50 and for preventing the shank 51 from being pivoted or rotated relative to the housing 50 and the shaft 36.

The housing 50 include one or more (such as three) boards or panels 55 attached or mounted or secured to the shaft 36 and parallel to each other for forming or defining two compartments or chambers 56 therein and/or between the panels 55, and for slidably receiving or engaging with the lower portions 62 of the levers 60, 61 and the spring biasing members 63 respectively, and the levers 60, 61 each include a cushion or pad or follower 64 formed or provided on the lower portion 62 of the respective lever 60, 61 and slidably contacted or engaged with the panels 55 for guiding and limiting the levers 60, 61 to move relative to the shaft 36 and the stays 30, 31, and for allowing the levers 60, 61 to be pivoted or rotated or moved within the chambers 56 of the housing 50 and relative to the shaft 36 and the stays 30, 31 with the spring biasing members 63 and for preventing the levers 60, 61 from being moved laterally or sidewise relative to the shaft 36 and the stays 30, 31 and the housing 50.

The levers 60, 61 each include a bar or foot pedal or foot stem 65 attached or mounted or secured to the upper portion 66 of the respective lever 60, 61 and preferably perpendicular to the lever 60, 61 for engaging with and for supporting a foot pad 67 thereon and arranged for allowing the foot pads 67 and/or the foot stems 65 to be stepped or actuated by the user to perform exercises in a seated position. The foot stem 65 each include an orifice 68 formed therein (FIGS. 2-4 and 6-9) and the orifices 68 of the foot stems 65 are faced or directed toward each other. A lock or latch rod or device 70 is slidably received or engaged in the orifice 68 of one of the foot stems 65 and of one of the levers 60, 61 (FIGS. 6 and 8), and includes a hand grip or knob 71 extended therefrom for being gripped or grasped or held by the user and for moving the latch device 70 relative to the foot stems 65 and the levers 60, 61.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 8, the latch device 70 may be received or engaged in the orifice 68 of one of the foot stems 65, and disengaged or separated from the other foot stem 65, and the latch device 70 is selectively movable relative to the foot stems 65 and the levers 60, 61 to engage into or with the orifice 68 of the other foot stem 65 (FIGS. 1, 7, 9, 11) for latching or locking the foot stems 65 and the levers 60, 61 together and for allowing the foot stems 65 and the levers 60, 61 to be moved in concert with each other. One or more flexible or resilient wires or cables or spring biasing members 75 may further be provided and attached or connected or coupled between the levers 60, 61 and the seat plate 10 for applying a resistive force onto or against the levers 60, 61 and for resisting the movement of the levers 60, 61 relative to the shaft 36 and the stays 30, 31 and the housing 50 and the seat plate 10.

In operation, as shown in FIG. 2, when the user is seated on the seat plate 10, the user may grip or grasp or hold the hand grips 41 and may pull the resilient cables 40 to conduct various pulling exercising or rehabilitation operations. In addition, the user may step or actuate the foot pads 67 and/or the foot stems 65 to perform stepping exercises in a seated position. As shown in FIGS. 1, 7, 9, and 11, the latch device 70 may be moved to engage with the orifices 68 of both of the foot stems 65 in order to latch or lock the foot stems 65 and the levers 60, 61 together and to allow the foot stems 65 and the levers 60, 61 to be moved in concert with each other.

It is to be noted that the lower portions 62 of the levers 60, 61 are not directly, but indirectly attached or mounted or secured to the shaft 36 with the spring biasing members 63; i.e., the spring biasing members 63 are connected or coupled between the lower portions 62 of the levers 60, 61 and the shank 51 or the shaft 36 or the housing 50, and arranged for allowing the levers 60, 61 to be pivoted or rotated or moved relative to the shaft 36 and the stays 30, 31 with the spring biasing members 63. The shank 51 may be solidly and stably attached or mounted or secured to the shaft 36 and formed integral with the shaft 36 and/or the housing 50.

Accordingly, the exercise device in accordance with the present invention includes an improved structure or configuration for conducting various exercising or rehabilitation operations.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

I claim:
 1. An exercise device comprising: a seat plate; a foldable seat support attached to said seat plate and foldable relative to said seat plate, said seat support including a pair of legs and a pair of stays pivotally coupled together, said stays each including a lower portion; a shaft connected to said lower portions of said stays for securing said lower portions of said stays together and for allowing said lower portions of said stays to be moved in concert with each other; a pair of spring biasing members attached to said shaft; and a pair of levers attached to said spring biasing members respectively for allowing said levers to be pivoted and moved relative to said shaft and said stays with said spring biasing members, and said levers each including a foot stem for being stepped and actuated by a user.
 2. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said foot stems are perpendicular to said levers respectively.
 3. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said levers each include a foot pad engaged onto said foot stem respectively.
 4. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft includes a shank secured to said shaft, and said spring biasing members are attached to said shank of said shaft.
 5. The exercise device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a housing mounted to said shaft, and said shank of said shaft is engaged in said housing.
 6. The exercise device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said shank includes an extension secured to said housing with a lock member for locking said shank to said housing and for preventing said shank from being pivoted relative to said housing and said shaft.
 7. The exercise device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said housing includes three panels attached to said shaft and parallel to each other for forming two chambers between said panels and for slidably receiving and engaging with said lower portions of said levers and said spring biasing members respectively.
 8. The exercise device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said levers each include a follower provided on said lower portion of said respective lever and slidably engaged with said panels for guiding and limiting said levers to move relative to said shaft and said stays and said housing, and for preventing said levers from moving sidewise relative to said panels of said housing.
 9. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a latch device for selectively latching said foot stems and said levers together and for allowing said foot stems and said levers to be moved in concert with each other.
 10. The exercise device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said foot stems each include an orifice formed in said respective foot stem for slidably receiving and engaging with said latch device.
 11. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pair of spring biasing members coupled between said levers and said seat plate for resisting a movement of said levers relative to said shaft and said stays and said housing and said seat plate.
 12. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said legs each include an upper portion pivotally mounted to said seat plate with a pivot axle and rotatable relative to said seat plate between an unfolding position and a folding and storing position, said stays each include a middle portion pivotally coupled to an intermediate portion of said legs with a pivot pin for allowing said stays to be rotated relative to said legs between a working and unfolding position and a folded storing position, and said stays each include an upper portion attached to said seat plate.
 13. The exercise device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said seat plate includes two rails attached to a bottom portion of said seat plate, and said upper portions of said stays are slidably engaged with said rails of said seat plate.
 14. The exercise device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pair of resilient cables connected to said legs respectively.
 15. The exercise device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said cables each include a hand grip for being grasped by a user. 